Accordingly Bill C-46, an act to amend the Members of Parliament Retiring Allowances Act, is deemed read a second time, deemed referred to a committee of the whole, deemed reported without amendment, deemed concurred in at report stage and deemed read a third time and passed.

(Motion agreed to, Bill C-46 read the second time, considered in committee of the whole, reported without amendment, concurred in, read the third time and passed)

I will be voting against the bill under consideration today, essentially because it will violate rights entrenched in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. We must not take away basic human rights in Canada unless there are real, substantial, indisputable reasons to so do. There must be fundamental criteria to justify trampling on human rights. Quite frankly, I have not heard any in our debate on this bill. Furthermore, the Senate said quite the opposite.

Mr. Speaker, it gives me great pleasure to recognize six remarkable physicians who have dedicated their lives to the thousands of Canadians in the Markham Stouffville area.

Tonight our community will be celebrating “The Pillars”, which is an event to recognize these physicians. It will take place, as I said, in my hometown of Stouffville. It has been with their unwavering devotion, compassion and quality care that these doctors have advanced their field and gained their outstanding reputation in our community.

I would like to congratulate Dr. John Button, Dr. Douglas Brodie, Dr. Donald Petrie, Dr. Donald Smith, Dr. Glenn Graham and Dr. Jack White, and thank them for their services to our community and for the integral role they have played in our community.

Moreover, I would like to take the opportunity to congratulate Dr. John Button who is also the recipient of a Diamond Jubilee Medal, which was awarded in our community on June 16.

These doctors have performed extraordinarily well in our community, and we owe them a huge debt of gratitude.

Mr. Speaker, I would like to take a moment today to sincerely thank Mr. Gagnon and Mr. Morency from Branch 265 of the Royal Canadian Legion. On October 14 in Loretteville, the hon. member for Louis-Hébert and I attended the unveiling of a monument to honour our fallen soldiers in Afghanistan.

It is with great humility that I join the members of the legion in paying tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the name of freedom and peace. Legion members are devoted individuals with an unwavering sense of duty. They are a source of inspiration for me and for many people in their communities.

As a member of Parliament, I am fortunate to have the opportunity to use my time, my energy and all other available resources to listen to them, support them and represent them, but above all, to meet with them. Being there for them is the most important way that we can show our respect for them. That is my duty. That is my philosophy, and I have been happy to allow it to guide me in my mandate so far and will continue to do so.

Mr. Speaker, it is National Science and Technology Week. In that vein, I am proud that the two university campuses in my constituency, as well as nearby Mohawk College, are hubs of innovation and technology in this country.

In a global economy, we must continue to attract and retain young talent. That is why I am particularly pleased that this government continues to invest in the Canada research chairs program, including two chairs at McMaster University in Hamilton, which the minister announced last week were to be renewed, one in stem cell signalling and another in human cancer stem cell biology. Plus, we will now be adding a new Canada research chair in perinatal programming at McMaster.

McMaster University has an international reputation for research and innovation in engineering and the medical sciences, providing young people with lab experience and opportunities for careers in their given field.

This is a great example of what National Science and Technology Week is all about.

Mr. Speaker, it is now easier for people in need in Shawinigan to access public transit services.

Transport solidaire, an initiative of Shawinigan's community development corporation and food security committee, gives underprivileged individuals free access to public transit in the city. The founding organizations of Transport solidaire provide bus passes to those in need, to help these people access to the things they need, such as food, health care or employment agencies. Transport solidaire tries to help the poorest members of society participate more fully in society by offering free transportation so they can go about their everyday activities.

I would like to celebrate the initiative of the people of Shawinigan who are working tirelessly to eradicate social disparities.

Mr. Speaker, earlier this week the Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention met for its national conference and the theme was “Stepping Out of the Darkness: Awareness, Attention, Action”.

Over 600 volunteers, experts and advocates joined together to learn from new research, share experiences and best practices, including new approaches in suicide prevention, all with the end goal of providing hope and saving lives.

Many of the organizations that attended operate on shoestring budgets. Many are driven by the goodwill of volunteers and patrons. It is a sad truth that if a person is at risk of suicide and is seeking help, the quality of the help they receive will depend on that person's postal code.

Canada's youth suicide rate is the third highest in the world. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among our young people. Among aboriginal and Inuit youth, the rate is five to seven times higher.

I thank all CASP members for the work they do, particularly their support in developing Bill C-300. I ask all hon. members to join me in saluting these heroes.

Mr. Speaker, this evening thousands of people across Quebec will take part in the 23rd Nuit des sans-abri. In Laval, we will gather at 7 p.m. in the Collège Montmorency parking lot. We will all spend the night together under the stars in order to break the silence and remember that, every night, one of our own sleeps in the streets.

I would like to sincerely thank the Réseau des organismes et des intervenants en itinérance de Laval, which has organized this event for the seventh consecutive year. Laval is not alone in facing the challenge of homelessness. Although perceived as a well-heeled city, Laval does have homeless people.

A number of organizations working in this field receive federal funding under the current homelessness partnering strategy, the HPS. The region receives an annual amount that is not nearly enough to meet real needs, but our main concern is ensuring that the HPS will be renewed, period.

I sincerely hope that the government will renew the budget allocation for the HPS as quickly as possible. We have an opportunity to change our world for the better and the power to do so right now.

Mr. Speaker, our government has continued to deliver for the city of London, Ontario.

Last week, I was pleased to make two landmark announcements that will create jobs and strengthen economic growth in London. The first is a $1.46 million investment, thanks to the federal gas tax fund, toward road improvements and new bike lanes to make commuting safer and more time efficient for drivers and cyclists. Officials from the city of London said that this co-operative effort between governments illustrated how forward thinking and well played funding benefited us all.

Moreover, sixteen new jobs are set to be created at Cyborg Trading Systems, thanks to a FedDev investment of over $380,000. Cyborg founder and CEO James McInnes said: “The FedDev Ontario investment will allow us to rapidly scale our global growth strategy by allowing us to accelerate our plans to hire top Canadian talent”.

Our government is proud to support the efforts of southern Ontario companies that want to grow and compete in the global marketplace. I am proud to represent the people of London North Centre.

Mr. Speaker, on Sunday I had the great pleasure of hosting my neighbours at my community fall fair and corn roast. We hosted a hotly contested pie-eating contest, where we saw Uzair Khan edging just ahead of the competition to come out the winner. The pie-baking contest was judged by our community's heroes: a chief firefighter, a police constable and a paramedic. The highlight of the day was the chubby bunny marshmallow-eating contest, where we saw little Clayton edging out all of the competition. It really was a fun day and I would like to thank all of the volunteers who came together to help make it such as a success and to create some wonderful community memories.

By the way, I can say categorically that my neighbours do not want to see the price of their groceries, gasoline and electricity go up. They are categorically against the NDP's carbon tax that would bring in $21 billion of new revenue.

Mr. Speaker, as we speak, too many people with disabilities are being excluded from income support programs.

I receive a huge number of complaints in this regard from Canadians who tell me about the obstacles they face when attempting to get the disability tax credit or open a registered disability savings plan.

Given that Canada has ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the government must take its responsibilities and obligations seriously. This must be accomplished in a context where the rate of unemployment for people with disabilities tends to be 25% higher than the Canadian average, where Canadians with a disability are twice as likely to live in poverty and where young people with disabilities are only half as likely to pursue post-secondary education.

People with functional limitations have the right to a decent standard of living and access to the labour market. I therefore urge the government to take the required corrective action as quickly as possible in order to ensure that these individuals can fully exercise these rights.

Mr. Speaker, on October 28 Ukrainians will have a chance to exercise their deeply cherished democratic rights by participating in parliamentary elections. Ensuring that these elections are fair, free and reflective of the people's will is an important test at a critical juncture in Ukraine's journey toward true democracy and greater prosperity. Canada is providing some 500 election observers to monitor this vote.

Given mounting concerns over the deterioration of democratic conditions in Ukraine in the lead up to these elections, Canada is joining other freedom-loving nations to assess the fairness and transparency of the elections on the ground. Our Conservative government is committed to doing its part to help strengthen democracy in Ukraine and will continue to stand with the Ukrainian people as they exercise their will.

Canadians can count on our government to continue championing the Canadian values of freedom, democracy, human rights and the rule of law around the world.

Mr. Speaker, today I would like to talk about a hidden gem in my corner of the country.

Nestled in a corner of Malartic Lake, the village of La Motte radiates its warmth across the Abitibi region. The area of La Motte is as big as the Island of Montreal, and we could say the same for the hearts of its 429 residents.

After just one visit to this picturesque village you will see what I mean. Go visit and bask in the warmth of the people of La Motte. Ask them to tell you the legend of the fairy stones. Go feed some sweet apples to Ti-Gars the pony, buy some penny candy and drink in the natural beauty of this little bit of paradise.

We could all learn a little something from the refreshing energy and quiet strength of the people of La Motte.

Today, I have the pleasure of informing the House that La Motte was named best village by the magazine Vivre à la campagne. I hope this achievement will put a spotlight on this gem.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honour the memory of an extraordinary man, Mr. Randell Morris, who died unexpectedly this Tuesday at the age of 47.

Randell was the president of the Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technology and worked at the institution for over 20 years.

His legacy was that of pulling all levels of government and industry toward a common goal, ensuring that first nation students achieve their full career potential. Randell and his colleague, Ray Ahenikew, have been working closely with our government on this front.

Randell's reputation extended far beyond his role at SIIT. He was a proud member of the George Gordon First Nation and had an immense circle of friends.

His wife of 22 years recalls true love and a husband with whom she never had an argument. His 18-year-old daughter remembers him as the best father she could have had.

Randell will be laid to rest today in Saskatoon. It is expected that more than a thousand people will be in attendance. Our thoughts are with Randell's family and friends, and with the SIIT.

Mr. Speaker, changes to employment insurance are threatening a program that is supposed to be there for workers when they need it.

We believe that government must ensure that all regions of the country have equal access to opportunity and prosperity. Therefore, any changes to employment insurance must be done with sensitivity to regional realities, including the impact on local economies.

However, the Conservative changes to employment insurance are hurting real people, hurting our communities and hurting our businesses. When coupled with the disproportionate civil service cuts, these changes will result in more poverty and hardship for the people of Prince Edward Island.

We believe, even if the Conservatives do not, that helping one another is still part of our collective history. The Liberal Party will not give up on our workers and our local communities.

Please join us for a Public Service Alliance of Canada rally on Saturday, October 27 on Water Street in Summerside, a rally that will call for a halt to the changes to EI that are hurting our communities, and a rally calling for fair treatment—

Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I rise in the House today to pay tribute to the hon. Lincoln Alexander, who passed away. Born in Ontario to West Indian immigrants, Lincoln Alexander proudly served in the Royal Canadian Air Force during the second world war.

In 1968, he became the first black Canadian to win a seat in the House of commons as a Progressive Conservative. He represented the riding of Hamilton West, where he served for 12 years. After leaving Parliament, Lincoln Alexander became Lieutenant Governor of Ontario in 1985, becoming the first black Canadian to serve in a vice-regal position in Canada.

He was also awarded the Order of Ontario and became a Companion of the Order of Canada. He truly believed in public service and giving back to his country, and in this role he was a model for all Canadians.

On this sad day, I offer my sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Lincoln Alexander, one of Canada's greatest citizens. Our thoughts and prayers are with them today.

The words “lie” or “liars” or words to that effect are very clearly spelled out as unparliamentary. I would ask the member to withdraw that term and he will have about 30 seconds to finish his S. O. 31.

Mr. Speaker, this weekend, Conservative MPs will return to our ridings and we will proudly tell our constituents that we will stand up for their interests and against the NDP's $20 billion carbon tax.

On page 4 of its election platform, the NDP clearly laid out its new tax, which would raise the price of everything and raise billions in new revenues from Canadians.

Earlier this year, the NDP leader said that his new carbon tax plan “will produce billions”.

As we travel throughout our ridings to various events this weekend, and in my riding of Don Valley West I will be listening to my local constituents' concerns over the NDP leader's $20 billion carbon tax plan.